Lancashire is one of the largest counties in England and has over 2,100 looked-after children. From Preston and Blackburn to Burnley, Lancaster, Blackpool and beyond, there are local authority and independent fostering agencies across the county ready to support you on your fostering journey.
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Lancashire is one of the largest county councils in England, spanning from the Ribble Valley and the Forest of Bowland to the industrial towns of East Lancashire and the coastal communities of Blackpool and Morecambe. With over 2,100 looked-after children, the demand for foster carers across the county is significant and growing.
Lancashire County Council runs its own fostering service, and Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool operate as separate unitary authorities with their own children's services. Alongside these, multiple independent fostering agencies operate across the county, often offering higher allowances, smaller caseloads and specialist therapeutic support.
Think Fostering helps you compare fostering agencies across Lancashire so you can find the right fit for you and your family. All enquiries are free, confidential and without obligation.
Over 2,100 children in care across LancashireCompare local authority and independent agencies100% free, no obligation enquiryCompare Ofsted-registered fostering agencies covering Lancashire
Specialist foster care across Lancashire with therapeutic placements and comprehensive carer support. Dedicated social workers and 24/7 helpline.
Enquire NowHigh-quality foster placements across Lancashire with a focus on stability, matching and long-term outcomes for children and young people.
Enquire NowLancashire-based agency offering generous allowances, small social worker caseloads and tailored training programmes for new and experienced carers.
Enquire NowSupporting foster families across Lancashire with specialist teen placements, parent and child fostering, and emergency care. Weekly peer support groups.
Enquire NowTherapeutic fostering agency with offices across Lancashire. Trauma-informed care, attachment-focused training and dedicated clinical support for carers.
Enquire NowLancashire's own fostering service with direct links to local schools, health services and community support. Recruiting carers for children across the county.
Enquire NowLancashire has over 2,100 looked-after children and the need for foster carers continues to grow across the county, particularly for teenagers, sibling groups and children with additional needs.
Independent agencies across Lancashire offer competitive weekly allowances, typically between £400 and £575, with most fostering income effectively tax-free under Qualifying Care Relief.
Agencies across Lancashire provide dedicated social workers, out-of-hours helplines, peer support groups and regular supervision to help you succeed as a foster carer.
Lancashire is home to diverse communities across its towns and cities, and agencies actively seek carers from all backgrounds to better match children with families who understand their heritage.
Agencies across Lancashire offer comprehensive induction programmes, specialist training and ongoing professional development to build your skills and confidence.
From emergency and short-term through to long-term and specialist therapeutic care, all types of fostering are in demand across Lancashire.
Foster carers in Lancashire receive a weekly allowance to cover the cost of caring for a child, plus a skills-based fee that reflects your experience and training. Most fostering income is effectively tax-free under HMRC Qualifying Care Relief.
Average weekly fostering payments across independent agencies in Lancashire range from £400 to £575, depending on the child's age, needs and placement type. Allowances vary between agencies, so comparing multiple agencies through Think Fostering can help you find the best package for your circumstances.
Tax-free income under Qualifying Care ReliefAverage £400–£575 per week across Lancashire IFAsCompare agencies to find the best total package
Find answers to the most common questions about fostering in Lancashire. For more detailed information, visit our FAQs page or get in touch to speak with an agency directly — all enquiries are free and without obligation.
Lancashire County Council is one of the largest county councils in England and has over 2,100 looked-after children across the authority area. This includes children placed with foster carers, in residential care and in other arrangements. The three local authorities covering the Lancashire area are Lancashire County Council, Blackburn with Darwen, and Blackpool.
Nationally, England had 81,770 children looked after on 31 March 2025, and around 56,400 were in foster care. Lancashire needs carers across different home types and life stages, including people able to support teenagers, sibling groups, and children with additional needs.
Over 2,100 children in care across Lancashire81,770 children looked after across England on 31 March 2025Three local authorities cover the Lancashire areaCarers with different skills and home types are neededYou can foster directly with one of the three local authorities in Lancashire (Lancashire County Council, Blackburn with Darwen, or Blackpool Council) or with an independent fostering agency. All options are Ofsted-regulated. Local authority fostering connects you closely to local schools and services, while IFAs may offer higher allowances, smaller caseloads and specialist models.
Compare how support works in practice. Ask about social worker caseloads, out-of-hours advice, training pathways, respite, and how the agency supports you when placements are challenging. Day-to-day support often matters more than pay alone for long-term sustainability.
All routes are Ofsted-regulatedCompare supervision, training, respite and out-of-hours supportThree local authorities serve the Lancashire areaSpeak to several providers and judge responsivenessFostering payments in Lancashire depend on the provider, the child's age and needs, and the type of fostering you are approved to do. Independent agencies across Lancashire typically pay between £400 and £575 per week. Most fostering income is effectively tax-free under HMRC Qualifying Care Relief.
When comparing agencies, look at the total package including the weekly allowance, skills-based fee, training provision, support and any additional payments for birthdays, holidays and equipment. A good agency should provide a written breakdown before you commit.
Independent agencies typically pay £400–£575 per weekMost fostering income is tax-free under Qualifying Care ReliefPay varies by child age, needs and placement typeAsk for a written breakdown of all fees and allowancesAll types of fostering are in demand across Lancashire including short-term, long-term, emergency, respite, parent and child placements, and specialist therapeutic care. There is a particular need for carers who can support teenagers, as the largest cohort of children in care is aged 10 and over.
Lancashire also needs carers who can support sibling groups, children with complex emotional or behavioural needs, and unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people. During your assessment you will discuss which types suit your skills and household.
All types of fostering are needed across LancashireParticular need for carers supporting teenagersSibling groups need to stay together where possibleYour approval terms will reflect your preferences and strengthsNo. You do not need to own your home to foster in Lancashire. What matters is that you have a stable living situation and that your home is suitable for a child, including adequate space, safety and privacy. You can foster if you own your home or are in a secure rental agreement.
If you rent, services will want to understand the security of your tenancy and whether you have landlord permission where required. A good agency will guide you through what is needed and will not expect perfection, just a safe and welcoming home.
You can foster whether you own or rentA dedicated spare bedroom is required for the foster childRenting may require tenancy and landlord checksHome suitability is discussed during assessmentStart with regulated sources. Fostering services in England are inspected by Ofsted, and you can search by location to view ratings and inspection history. This helps identify agencies with strong leadership, training and outcomes for children.
Use comparison directories like Think Fostering to shortlist Ofsted-rated providers across Lancashire. Shortlist three to five providers, speak to each one, and ask the same questions about supervision, out-of-hours support, training and placement matching.
Use Ofsted reports to verify registration and ratingsConsider the local authority routes across LancashireUse a directory to shortlist multiple providersCompare support, not just fees, by asking consistent questionsThere is no single fixed number, because agencies operate across multiple areas and change coverage over time. The most reliable way to get an up-to-date view is to use the Ofsted provider search and filter by location.
Lancashire includes three local authority fostering services plus multiple independent agencies with county-wide and North West coverage. Focus on quality signals like Ofsted ratings and inspection history, then contact a shortlist for direct conversations.
Use Ofsted provider search for the most accurate countLancashire includes three LA services and multiple IFAsNumbers change, so focus on quality and inspection historyShortlist and compare based on support and responsivenessThousands of children across Lancashire need safe, loving homes. Take the first step today — compare agencies, ask questions, and find the right fit for your family.
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